Flame detecting apparatus with flame simulation test



F. T. DEZIEL Dec. 15, 1964 FLAME DETECTING APPARATUS WITH FLAME SIMULATION TEST Filed Sept. 7, 1961 mmm INVENTOR. FEED Z DEZIEL ATTORNEY mOmDOw Unil States Patent o f .3,161,863 t i FLAME DETECTIING APPARATUS WITH FLAME .SMULAIIN TEST. Fred,- T. Deziel, loomingtpn, assignor to Honeywell Inc., a corporationof Delaware Filed Sept. .7, 1961, Ser-. Nb; 136,589 7 Claims. (Cl. 340-214) The present invention is concerned with an improved condition detecting apparatus in which the apparatus in constructed and arranged to provide a check of the system at periodic intervals and Vto energize a fault indicating means should the system not respond properly to th1s preiodic checking.

Inthe preferred embodiment of my invention I show the condition detecting apparatus as incorporating re detecting means which is periodically subjected to a re simulating source. Prior art devices are known wherein a conditionsensor is checked by subjectinguthe sensor to the simulated condition tobe detected. However, my invention utilizes an improved combination of elements to provide a more foolproof means for checking the operation ofthe fire sensing means. Y

Specifically, my apparatus utilizes a sensor which -scans or views the area under supervision in individual discrete segments. At one position, o r one such discrete segment, a tire simulating element is viewed. Thus, in the absence of tire, thelire sensing means providesan output signal for each time thatit passes this particular segment of the area being supervised.` Cycling switch means, controlled in a predetermined relation with the scanning by the ilame sensing means, is provided to energize a lire alarm means during all portions of the viewing by the rire sensor with the exception of that time during which the particular area is being viewed, to thus sound a lire alarm should a fire be detected in these segments. A fault alarm means is also provided and this means is arranged to be energized in the event that the ire sensor does not respond to the presence of the re simulating means at thatparticular interval in the viewing by the fire sensingmeans. Thus, I provide greater reliability since not only is` the operativeness of there sensing means periodically checked, but this operativeness is specifically related to a predetermined sequenceof Viewing by the fire sensing means.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention I'providev an electrical motor to control the rotation or scanning of a lire sensingmeans and, as afurther feature of my invention, I provide means to sense continuous operation of this motor and toenergize `a fault alarm in the event that this motor stops rotating.`

My invention will be apparentto those skilled in the artuponreference to the following specification, claims, anddrawings, of which:

FIGUBEI is a schematic representation of anarea to beA supervised in which anultraviolet responsive lire sensor is located, showing the relationship of an ultraviolet source to simulate fire,`

,FIGURE 2 is a shematc, showing et myrwentiorl,Y and FIGURE 3 is a graph showing fire sensor output versus degrees of rotation of the liresensor, the lire sensor output ofFIGURE 3 being for the condition wherein no tire is Vactuallypresent within thearea to b e supervised.

AReferring to FIGURE l,` yreference numeral 1t) identities generally an area to besupervised, this being for example a warehouse which `isleft unattended for long periods of time and in which the presence of lire would goundetected fora oonsiderable length of time. In actual practice, my

Vinvention is not limited to a specific application but rather to a generic considerationY of an 'areawhich is to be superv ised.U Located within this area in an ,ultraviolet responsive lire sensor indicated generally by means of reference ICC numeral 11. Here again, the specific type lire sensor is not considered to be a limitation of my invention. The construction of means 11 includes a rotating platform 12 (see FIGURE 2) mounted on a stationery base rsup'port member 13 and having a reflector 1 4 to control the viewing angle or scan of an ultraviolet responsive photocell 15.

In FIGURE l photocell 15 is viewing a portion of the complete 360 degree circle of rotation traversed by the photocell 15, as it views the area to be supervised in discrete intervals, and is centeredat the point.

In accordance with the teachings of the presentinyention, a lire simulating means is provided at aparticlar one of the intervals successively viewed by the re sensor. In FIGURE l this means is indicated by vreference numeral lo, referring to the ultraviolet source to simulate tire. In actual practice this may be a continuously venergized source of ultraviolet energy which is effective Vto simulate the presenceof fire at the 270 degree portion of the successive scanning bythe tire sensor.

Referring now to FIGURES, this figure shows the output of the photocell 15 plotted as afunction of the particular portion of the area to be supervised of FIG- URE l which is being viewed. Thus, at the 270 degree interval point, photocell 15 is viewing ultraviolet source ldand a simulated fire signalis present. For all other portions of the 360 degrees or rotation of photocell 15, no output is present, If a re should occur at a particular interval,` an output will be effective, at this interval, to energize an alarm means, as will be described,

Referring now to FIGURE 2, photocell `15 is connected t'o the input of an amplifier 20,.whose output includes a relay Zlhaving a normally closed switch 22 and a normally open switch 23. Relay 21, which can be defined as a re relay, is shown in itsde-energized condition whereinV switch 22 is closed and switch 23 is open. As i`s conventional, energization of relay 2l causes switches 2,2;` and 23 to.as sume the opposite condition of operation wherein switch 22 is open and Switch 23 is closed. Amplifier 2t) is connected to a source of supply voltage, not shown, ,by means of conductors 24 an'd 25.

Reference numeral 26 designates generally a 4motor means including a motor 27 coritinuouly energized from a source of alternating voltage, not.shown,c`onnected to power line conductors 30 and 3l. Motor 27 isc'onnec'ted through mechanical linkages designated by means of reference numerals 32 and 33 to control the rotating platform 12 on which photocell 15 is mounted and to control cycling switch means designated generally by means of referencenumeral 34.`

Cycling switchmeans ,34 includes three cams 35, 36 and 37 which continuously rotate with rotation of motor 27, the direction of rotation being indicated by means of arrows. vCam 35 is operatively associated with a switch 4t) and Vthe means 3 5-4() is 'constructed and arranged to maintainswitch 40 in aJ closed condition for all portions ofthe cycle of rotation of p hotocell 15 eircept during `that portion in whichthe photo'cell views the ultraviolet source 16 (the 270 degree interval of FIGURE l). Cam 36 is associated with a switch 41 and the means SEG-1 is constructed and arranged to maintain switch 41 in an open condition for all portions of the sweep or cycle of operation 'of -photocell 15 except for that portion in whichphotocell views the ultraviolet source -16. Cam 37 Vis associated with switches 42 and 43, these switches being alternately closed and opened at a regular interval, for example once for 'every 90 degrees rotation of `photocell 15.

The above mentioned switch 4I is connected in circuit with a trouble alarm relay 44 having a pair of nor- Inally open switches 45 and 4o.V `Relay 44 is` shown y in the de-energized condition wherein switches 45 and 46 are open. Upon energization of relay 44, these switches close.

Switch 40 is connected in circuit with a re alarm relay 50 including normally open switches 51 and 52. Here again, relay 50 is shown in the de-energized condition. Upon energization of relay 50 switches 51 and 52 close.

Switches 42 and 43 are associated with a checking relay `53 having a switch 54. Relay 53 is shown in the energized condition, this being the normal condition indicative of continuous operation of motor 57. ln order to obtain continuous energization of relay 53 in response to continuous rotation of motor 57, a bridge rectiiier 55 is connected to power line conductors 30 and 31 and the output of this bridge rectifier is connected through switch 42 to charge a capacitor 56. However, as the motor 27 continues to rotate, the charged capacitor 56 is now connected through switch 43 to charge a further capacitor 57 to thus maintain relay 53 continuously energized so long as the switch means 4t2-43 continues to cycle, this being indicative of continuous rotation of motor 27.

Considering now the operation of my improved condition detecting apparatus in greater detail, the apparatus of FIGURE 2 shows the lire sensing photocell 15 as viewing the 90 degree interval of the area to be supervised of FIGURE l. Furthermore, no -iiame is present at this portion of the area to be supervised. The photocell continues to be driven in a counterclockwise direction as shown by the arrow adjacent platform 12 of lFIGURE 2, and sweeps the area to be supervised. Since no rire is present, lire relay 21 is maintained de-energized. When photocell 15 views the 270 degree portion of the area to be supervised, the ultraviolet source 16 is detected and re relay `21 is energized. However, it will be remembered that at this time switch 40 has opened and switch 41 has closed due to action of cams and 36 respectively. Thus, as will be apparent, the vtire alarm relay 5@ is prevented from being energized and the trouble alarm relay 44 is likewise prevented from being energized.

For purposes of a more complete description of the operation of my invention assume for the moment that a component failure has occurred within amplifier 20 such that the photocell 15 is incapable of sensing the actual presence of tire. `If this is true, photocell 15 likewise will not sense the presence of ultraviolet source 16 and thus -re relay 21 is maintained in a de-energized condition at the 270 degree interval of the area to be supervised. As has been pointed out above, switch is open and switch 41 is closed at this portion in the sweep of the area to be supervised by photocell 15. With the assumed component failure, an energizing circuit t'or trouble alarm relay 4d can now be traced from power line.conductor Sti through switch 41,-switch 22, and trouble alarm relay 44 back to power line conductor 31. Thus, switches 45 and 46 are closed. The closing of switch 45 completes a holding circuit directly connecting relay 44 across power line conductors 3d and 31. The closing of switch 46 completes a circuit which has been labeled to trouble alarm and thus a trouble alarm of one form or another is energized to indicate that the apparatus has become inoperative.

Assume now that a tire occurs somewhere within the area to be supervised other than at the 270 degree portion of the area. This source of ultraviolet energy will be sensed by photocell 15 to energize lire relay 21. Switch 40 is now closed and switch 41 is open and thus an energizing circuit can be traced for lire alarm relay 50 from power line conductor 30 through switch 4t?, switch 23, and iire alarm relay 50 to power line conductor 31.

circuit to maintain lire alarm relay Sti connected across Energization of `tire alarm relay 5d causesV switches 51 and l52 to Vmove to a closed condition.` Switch 51 in its closed condition completes a holding power line conductors 30 and 3.1. The closing of switch 52 completes a circuit labeled to re alarm to thus .sound or energize a tire alarm in one form or another to indicate that a lire has occurred within the area to be supervised.

Thus, as above described, it can be seen that I have provided an improved condition detecting apparatus wherein the condition is simulated at the particular interval within the area to be supervised and in which, through the medium of cycling switch means, the ability of the condition sensor 15 to sense the presence of a simulated condition is checked during each cycle of operation of the apparatus. Since proper checking of my apparatus depends upon continued rotation of motor 27, I provide as a further feature of my invention a means to sense a failure of motor 27 to continue to rotate. As has been pointed out, continuous rotation of motor 27 is necessary to cause switches 42 and 43 to cycle, switches 42 and 43 alternately being opened and closed to charge capacitor y56 and then to transfer this charge to capacitor 57. Should switches 42 and 43 fail in either the open or closed position, relay `53 is de-energized to close switch 54. This switch is in parallel with switch 46 of the trouble alarm relay 44 and in a like manner is effective to energize a trouble alarm to indicate that the apparatus has developed a fault. Thus, I provide the optimum in safety in a condition detecting apparatus, not only subjecting the apparatus to a periodic condition to be simulated, but also requiring that this condition to be simulated occur at a particular interval in the cycle of operation of my apparatus, and also requiring continuous operation of the cycling means.

Other modifications of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is therefore intended that the scope of the present invention be limited solely to the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. Condition detecting apparatus for use in supervising an area comprising; condition sensing means sensitive to the presence of a given condition, rotatable blocking means to restrict the eld of View of said condition sensing means, supervising means including said blocking means and said condition sensing means adapted to continuously sweep the area to be supervised in successive discrete segments, condition simulating means adapted to be positioned at a given location within the area to thereby simulate the given condition at the given location, and output means connected to said supervising means, said output means including an alarm output effestive upon said condition sensing means sensing the presence of the given condition at any position in said area other than said given location, said output means including a fault output etiective upon failure of said condition sensing means to sense the presence of said condition simulating means at said given location.

2. Condition detecting apparatus for use in supervising a given area to provide a primary output upon the occurrence of a given condition within the area, comprising; condition sensing means, rotatable reliecting means, supervising means including said reflecting means and said condition sensing means adapted to sweep the area to be supervised to thus cause said condition sensing means to successively view small portions of the area, condition simulating means adapted to be located at a predetermined position within the area, output means connected to said supervising means to provide a primary output upon said condition sensing means sensing the presence of the given condition at any position in said area other area having a first portion and a second portion to provide an alarm output in the case of a nre within the area, comprising; lire sensing means, ire simulating means adapted to be positioned in the first portion of the area, and supervisory means including movable reflecting means and said iire sensing means adapted to cause said fire sensing means to sweep the area to successively view the first and second portions of the area and including further means to condition an alarm output to be effective upon said fire sensing means sensing the presence of rire in the second portion of the area and to condition a fault output to be eifective upon said fire sensing means failing to sense the presence of said fire simulating means in the iirst portion of the area.

4. Fire detecting apparatus for use in monitoring the presence or absence of iire in an area to be supervised, comprising; re sensing means, support means for said tire sensing means, a motor, means connecting said motor to said support means to thereby rotate said support means and cause said irst sensing means to sweep the area to 'oe supervised and to view the area in successive intervals, iire simulating means adapted to bepositioned at a particular interval in the area to be supervised, a ilame relay, means connecting said ilame relay to be controlled by said iire sensing means to actuate the same upon said lire sensing means sensing the presence of iire or the simulated presence of tire, a ire alarm relay, cyclic switch means, means connecting said cyclic switch means to be controlled by said motor, energizing circuit means for said iire alarm relay controlled by said cyclic switch means and by said tire relay to energize said fire alarm relay upon said hre sensing means sensing the presence of ire at any interval in said area other than said particular interval, a fault alarm relay, and circuit means controlled by said cyclic switch means and said fire relay to energize said fault alarm relay upon failure of said lire sensing means to detect said re simulating means at said particular time interval.

5. Fire detecting apparatus for use in monitoring the presence of tire in an area to be supervised, comprising; tire sensing means, motor means, means connecting said motor means to said tire sensing means to cause said fire sensing means to sweep the area to be supervised and to thus view this area in successive intervals, fire simulating means adapted to be positioned at a particular interval in the area to be supervised, a tire relay, means connecting said tire relay to be controlled by said fire sensing means to be energized thereby, cycling switch means, means connecting said cycling switch means to be controlled by said motor means, said cycling switch means including a normally closed rst switch, said motor being adapted to open said iirst switch during the period in which said ire sensing means Views said particular interval of the area to be supervised, said cycling switch means including a second switch which is closed during said particular interval, a tire alarm relay, circuit means controlled by the first switch of said cycling switch means and by said fire relay to energize said re alarm relay upon said re sensing means sensing the presence of re during that period in which said iirst switch is closed, a fault alarm relay, circuit means controlled by said second switch and by said fire relay to energize said fault alarm relay upon failure of said fire sensing means to sense the fire simulating means during that interval in which said iire sensing means is viewing said fire simulating means, fault alarm means, and further switch means connected to said motor means, said further switch means being responsive to continuous operation of said motor means and elfective to energize said fault alarm upon failure of said motor means to be continuously operative.

6. Fire detecting apparatus for use in supervising an area to protect against the occurrence of a tire, comprising; tire sensing means, a lire relay having a first switch closed in the presence of tire and a second switch opened in the presence of tire, means connecting said lire relay to said tire sensing means to be controlled thereby, motor means, means including blocking means, said motor means and said fire sensing means to cause said ire sensing means to view successive portions of the area to be supervised, tire simulating means adapted to be located in a selected portion of the area, cycling switch means including iirst and second switches which are arranged to be alternately closed, means connecting said motor means to said cycling switch means to cause said iirst switch of said cycling switch means to be open and said second switch to be closed during the period in which said re sensing means views said fire simulating means, an alarm relay having a pair of switches which are closed upon energization thereof, energizing circuit means for said alarm relay including said first cycling switch means switch and said first iire relay switch, holding circuit means for said alarm relay including one of said pair of alarm relay switches, an alarm circuit connecting in series the other of said pair of alarm relay switches, a fault relay having a pair of switches which are closed upon energization thereof, energizing circuit means for said fault relay including said second cycling switch means switch and said second fire relay switch, holding circuit means for said fault relay including the one of said pair of fault relay switches, and a fault circuit connecting in series the other of said pair of fault relay switches.

7. Fire detecting apparatus, comprising; fire sensing means located in an area to be supervised, said area having a first sector and a second sector, motor means, support means for said fire sensing means including rotatable blocking means to restrict the iield of View of said fire sensing means to a portion of said area, means connecting said motor means to said support means to thereby rotate said blocking means and cause said ire sensing means to alternately view the first and second sectors of said area, tire simulating means located in said first sector, switch means, means connecting said motor means to said switch means to continuously operate the same in a cyclic manner, principal output means, means including said switch means connecting said principal output means to be controlled by said tire sensing means during the period in which said tire sensing means views said second sector, secondary output mean, and means including said switch mean connecting said secondary output means to be controlled by said fire sensing means during the period in which said fire sensing means views said iirst sector.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 964,086 7/ 10 Carroll 340-292 966,901 8/ 10 Goldstein. 1,625,823 4/ 27 Potter. 2,355,934 8/44 Weld 340-292 X 2,563,274 8/51 Rendel. 2,798,214 7/57 Rowell 340--214 NEIL C. READ, Primary Examiner. 

1. CONDITION DETECTING APPARATUS FOR USE IN SUPERVISING AN AREA COMPRISING; CONDITION SENSING MEANS SENSITIVE TO THE PRESENCE OF A GIVEN CONDITION, ROTATABLE BLOCKING MEANS TO RESTRICT THE FIELD OF VIEW OF SAID CONDITION SENSING MEANS, SUPERVISING MEANS INCLUDING SAID BLOCKING MEANS AND SAID CONDITION SENSING MEANS ADAPTED TO CONTINUOUSLY SWEEP THE AREA TO BE SUPERVISED IN SUCCESSIVE DISCRETE SEGMENTS, CONDITION SIMULATING MEANS ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED AT A GIVEN LOCATION WITHIN THE AREA TO THEREBY SIMULATE THE GIVEN CONDITION AT THE GIVEN LOCATION, AND OUTPUT MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID SUPERVISING MEANS, SAID OUTPUT MEANS INCLUDING AN ALARM OUTPUT EFFECTIVE UPON SAID CONDITION SENSING MEANS SENSING THE PRESENCE OF THE GIVEN CONDITION AT ANY POSITION IN SAID AREA OTHER THAN SAID GIVEN LOCATION, SAID OUTPUT MEANS INCLUDING A FAULT OUTPUT EFFECTIVE UPON FAILURE OF SAID CONDITION SENSING MEANS TO SENSE THE PRESENCE OF SAID CONDITION SIMULATING MEANS AT SAID GIVEN LOCATION. 